Spurs u19’s go marching into the last 16 of the UEFA youth league in style, with 4-1 home win over APOEL:

“It was a good, professional performance. APOEL were a team we lost to at their place so we didn’t underestimate them. Although they’ve not had great results in the group, our main focus was to get a result, we knew it was in our hands to win and confirm top of the group and I thought the lads did that very well. In the second half, we had a little bit of a scare when they scored at 3-1 and gave it a bit of a push, but the lads saw out the game and deserved the win. I never felt at any point that we weren’t in control but I suppose the goal was a massive confidence boost for them and you never know, after that, the next goal is crucial but I still felt we controlled the game and in the end showed other bits of quality which pulled us away.”(Scott Parker)

Our under 19’s cruised in to the last 16 of the UEFA youth league with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over APOEL Nicosia at Hotspur Way, yesterday. Needing a win to cement top spot, which would see them avoid a tricky play off draw, Parker’s side went for the win against a team who had already beaten them this campaign. Courtesy of goals from Reo Griffiths, Marcus Edwards, Japhet Tanganga and substitute Rodel Richards saw Spurs overcome the Cypriot side whose goal came from Adoni. Though I wasn’t able to attend the game, it sounds like it was another fluid attacking display from Spurs with a panache about their game. Something which has been so prevalent throughout this campaign, in total contrast to last seasons disappointing one. It’s been a fantastic feat to top a group which included some top class youth teams. Furthermore, Parker’s side played some wonderful football full of confidence and style, they expressed themselves really well and have reaped their rewards with a place in the last 16. Spurs won’t find out who they have drawn in the last 16 until February, with the play off round still to be played. We could draw anyone from PSG to Inter Milan. My hope is that we draw the world renowned Ajax, who we beat in the nextgen series a couple of seasons back. Crucially the game will only be a one legged affair, and Spurs will be the home team. COYS

Spurs: Austin, Eyoma, Bennetts, Skipp (Bowden 82), Tanganga, Marsh, S Shashoua, Roles, Griffiths (Richards 73), Edwards (c), P Maghoma (Reynolds 61). Substitutes (not used): De Bie, Patterson, Hinds, A Shashoua.

APOEL: Paraskevas, Kouppis, Constantinos, Stylianides, Zacharias (c), Neophytos, Sokratous (Okkaridis 46), Artemiou, Grubac, Naoum (Polikarpou 46), Andreou (Charalambous 81). Substitutes (not used): Priniotaki, Papdopoulos, Papoutsos, Veletinas.

Goals: Spurs – Griffiths 12, Edwards 29, Tanganga 43, Richards 80; APOEL – Adoni 61.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Richards 89; APOEL – Kouppis 59.

Referee: Erik Lambrechts.

Attendance: 175.

Statistics: Under 19’s: Goals: Edwards-4
Bennetts-1
Sterling-3
Roles-1
Tanganga-2
S.Shashoua-1
Brown-1
Griffiths-1
Richards-1

Assists: Edwards-5
Tanganga-1
S.Shashoua-4
Sterling-1
Roles-2
Bennetts-1